Aircraft maintenance apparatus and method of maintaining same

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a horizontally-extending mounting track and a track follower connected to the mounting track for following the mounting track. A maintenance tool support base preferably is connected to the track follower for supporting a maintenance tool thereon. An extending and retracting assembly is connected to the support base and to the track follower for extending the support base outwardly from the track follower and toward a portion of an aircraft and for retracting the support base inwardly from a portion of an aircraft and toward the track follower. An aircraft contour following assembly preferably is rotatably mounted to the support base and adapted for positioning adjacent an aircraft for following the contour of an aircraft to perform a maintenance procedure thereto. The aircraft contour following assembly includes at least one maintenance tool such as used for washing, cleaning, deicing, or painting an aircraft.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of aviation and, moreparticularly, to the maintenance of aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the years, various aircraft maintenance equipment has beendeveloped for maintaining various portions of an aircraft. This aircraftmaintenance equipment has included washing, cleaning, deicing, painting,polishing, sanding, grinding, and/or other maintenance functions. Suchsystems conventionally provide an aircraft cleaning or paintingapparatus which has a pair of spaced-apart tracks for positioning anaircraft therebetween and a track base slidably mounted to each track.An example of such a system can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,299 byCollins et al. titled "Aircraft Deicing Apparatus". Other systemsprovide an aircraft cleaning or painting apparatus that has a boompivotally mounted to a slidable support base. Examples of such anapparatus can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,646 by Shaw et al. titled"Aircraft Maintenance Robot", U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,254 by Shaw et al.titled "Aircraft Maintenance Robot", and U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,498 byArato titled "Craft Washing Plant". Still other systems provide overheadtracks under which an aircraft or other vehicle passes for providingmaintenance such as painting, cleaning, or deicing. Examples of thistype of system can be seen in French EPO-0341-134 Published PatentApplication by Jonca and U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,121 by Alexanian titled"Vehicle Washing System".

These conventional aircraft maintenance systems, however, attempt toprovide movement of a washing, cleaning, deicing, painting, polishing,sanding, or grinding apparatus by complex boom type systems which oftenrequire an expensive installation facility which includes extensiveinstallation obstacles to overcome. These systems also often distributethe weight of the apparatus performing the maintenance functions eitherwith the structure, i.e., building, hangar, garage, itself or at asubstantial distance from the aircraft. This operational requirement, inturn, requires the extensive boom-type or robotic-type arms which extendoutwardly from a base to perform the maintenance operation. Theseboom-type arms conventionally carry extensive electronics and can bequite expensive to manufacture. Other problems associated with theseboom-type arms include the risk from damage to the long outwardlyextending arms by moving aircraft, the requirement of complex andexpensive control of the arm at a base a distance away from theaircraft, and the lack of effective control of the arm, e.g., to trackthe contour of the aircraft, and the maintenance tools adjacent theaircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageouslyprovides an apparatus and method for maintaining an aircraft thatprovides effective control of maintenance tools adjacent the aircraft.The apparatus and method of the present invention also advantageouslytrack or follow the contour of the aircraft by providing the weight ofthe control of the maintenance tool adjacent the aircraft and reducingthe problems and risks associated with the use of a long boom-type armextending outwardly to provide the maintenance functions.

An apparatus for maintaining an aircraft according to an embodiment ofthe present invention preferably has at least a pair of spaced-apart,horizontally-extending mounting tracks adapted for positioning anaircraft therebetween and at least a pair of track followers connectedto the at least a pair of mounting tracks for following the pair ofmounting tracks along a predetermined path of travel. At least a pair ofmaintenance tool support bases are each respectively connected to the atleast a pair of track followers for supporting a maintenance toolthereon. At least a pair of support base driving means are connected tothe support base and to the track follower for driving each of the atleast a pair of support bases outwardly from the track base and toward aportion of an aircraft positioned between the pair of spaced-apartmounting tracks and for driving each of the at least a pair of supportbases inwardly from a portion of an aircraft and toward the mountingtrack. At least a pair of aircraft contour following means are eachrotatably mounted to the at least a pair of support bases and adaptedfor positioning adjacent an aircraft for following the contour of anaircraft when positioned between the at least a pair of spaced-apartmounting tracks to perform a maintenance procedure thereto. Each of theat least a pair of aircraft contour following means includes at leastone maintenance tool such as for washing, cleaning, deicing, painting,polishing, sanding, and/or grinding an aircraft.

An apparatus for maintaining an aircraft according to another embodimentof the present invention has a support base and a vertically-extendingtrack rotatably mounted to the support base. First carriage means ispositioned for carrying at least one maintenance tool thereon, andsecond carriage means is preferably slidably mounted to thevertically-extending support track and slidable connected to the firstcarriage means for carrying the first carriage means to perform amaintenance procedure on an aircraft. The second carriage meanspreferably includes a second carriage yoke following member slidablymounted to the vertically-extending track and a horizontally-extendingtrack connected to the second carriage yoke following member in acantilevered position on both sides of the second carriage base. Thefirst carriage means is slidably mounted on the horizontally-extendingcantilevered track.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the support baseadvantageously can be mounted to a movable vehicle, such as adolly-truck or fork-lift type vehicle. The vehicle can then be driven byan operator positioned thereon, or remotely, adjacent an aircraft forfollowing the contour of a portion of the aircraft as described in theembodiments above.

The present invention also includes methods of maintaining an aircraft.A method of maintaining an aircraft preferably includes following ahorizontally-extending mounting track along a generally horizontal pathof travel. A support base is extended outwardly from the mounting trackand toward a portion of an aircraft and retracted inwardly from aportion of an aircraft and toward the mounting track. The contour of aportion of an aircraft is preferably followed with a maintenance toolmounted to the support base to perform a maintenance procedure to theaircraft.

Another method of maintaining an aircraft according to the presentinvention preferably includes rotating a vertically-extending trackpositioned adjacent a portion of an aircraft about a support base. Atleast one maintenance tool is carried on the vertically-extending trackin a first generally vertical path of travel corresponding to the heightof the aircraft and carried in a second generally horizontal path oftravel corresponding to the lengthwise extent of a portion of theaircraft to perform a maintenance procedure to the aircraft.

An apparatus and methods according to the present inventionadvantageously allow the maintenance tool to travel in a generallyvertical direction corresponding to the height of an aircraft, agenerally horizontal direction corresponding to a lengthwise extent ofan aircraft, and a third direction corresponding to the lateral extentof an aircraft. By having the substantial weight of the support base andthe aircraft contour following assembly positioned adjacent the aircraftto be washed, cleaned, deiced, and/or painted, problems associated withthe structural support systems for such a maintenance apparatus aregreatly reduced or eliminated. The rotatable mounting of avertically-extending track in combination with the above features alsoadvantageously further allows the apparatus to follow a greater extentand more difficult contours, e.g., wings, tail, nose, lower portions ofthe fuselage, and/or engine mounts, of an aircraft.

Additionally, the rotatable mounting advantageously can increaseproductivity by performing near-simultaneous similar maintenanceoperations on a second aircraft located adjacent the first aircraft. Theaircraft maintenance apparatus can be manufactured and used within ahangar or other housing at a relatively less expense and lower cost thanconventional systems. Further, the apparatus according to the presentinvention advantageously can be readily retracted and positioned out ofthe path of travel of an aircraft within an existing hangar or otheraircraft housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the present inventionhaving been stated, others will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of an aircraft maintenancesystem having a plurality of aircraft maintenance apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an aircraft maintenance apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is front elevational view of an aircraft maintenance apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first carriage assembly of an aircraftmaintenance apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a first carriage assembly of an aircraftmaintenance apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a maintenance tool of an aircraftmaintenance apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of a maintenance tool of anaircraft maintenance apparatus taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of an aircraft maintenance apparatusof FIG. 8 according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance tool of anaircraft maintenance apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings which illustrated preferredembodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these illustratedembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, andprime and double prime notation are used to indicate similar elements inalternative embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an environmental view of an aircraft maintenancesystem 15 which has a plurality of aircraft maintenance apparatuses 20for maintaining an aircraft according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The system as illustrated has at least a pair ofspaced-apart, horizontally-extending mounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34adapted for positioning an aircraft A therebetween. This illustration,however, has four spaced-apart mounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34. A trackfollower 41, 42, 43, 44 is connected to each of the mounting tracks 31,32, 33, 34 for following the mounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34 along apredetermined path of travel P2. The mounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34preferably are spaced-apart a large enough distance so that varioussized aircraft can easily pass between the mounting tracks 31, 32, 33,34. The mounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34 preferably are mounted in groundor below the floor surface and within the confines of an aircrafthanger, as illustrated, which houses the maintenance system, e.g.,cleaning, washing, etc. Like a conventional car wash, this configurationadvantageously allows aircraft to pass through the hanger in a queuingsystem to have a maintenance operation performed thereon. As describedabove, and further herein, the apparatus 20 of the present invention canprovide a less expensive and effective maintenance system for performingvarious maintenance operations with a single aircraft maintenanceapparatus 20 that can readily be modified for each of these variousmaintenance operations.

In this illustration, each of the track followers 41, 42, 43, 44 of theaircraft maintenance system 15 has a main body 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d and agroove or channel 47a, 47b, 47c, 47d formed in and extending across themain body 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d. Each of the mounting tracks 31, 32, 33,34, in turn, also has a main body 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d and a flange 37a,37b, 37c, 37d connected to the main body 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d and extendsupwardly and slidably engages the groove or channel 47a, 47b, 47c, 47dof the corresponding track follower 41, 42, 43, 44. A chain or cabledrive assembly preferably drives the track followers 41, 42, 43, 44 in aplane generally parallel to the fuselage or main body of an aircraft A.It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that themounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34 can include a groove or channel recessedtherein and the track follower 41, 42, 43, 44 can include a flange orother engaging member which extend downwardly into the groove or channelof the corresponding mounting track 31, 32, 33, 34.

A maintenance tool support base 51, 52, 53, 54 is respectively connectedto each of the track followers 41, 42, 43, 44 for supporting at leastone maintenance tool 100 thereon such as for washing, cleaning, deicing,painting, polishing, sanding, and/or grinding an aircraft A. Themaintenance tool 100 illustrated herein advantageously is for cleaningor washing aircraft A as described further herein. It will be understoodby those skilled in the art, however, that other maintenance tools suchas for deicing, painting, polishing, sanding, and/or grinding anaircraft A can be used as well according to the present invention.

Each support base 51, 52, 53, 54 preferably includes a plurality ofwheels 55 or other means for slidably moving or transporting the supportbase 51, 52, 53, 54 on a surface S, e.g., preferably a flat surface likea concrete slab or floor. The apparatus 20 according to the presentinvention, therefore, advantageously can be readily retracted andpositioned out of the path of travel of an aircraft A within an existinghangar or other aircraft housing.

As illustrated, the support bases 51, 52, 53, 54 have a generallytriangular shape and has generally rounded corners of the triangle. Thistriangular shape and rounded corners advantageously allows the supportbase 51, 52, 53, 54 to be positioned adjacent aircraft A, such asillustrated, reduces material necessary for construction of the supportbase 51, 52, 53, 54, and inhibits damage to aircraft or machinery whichcomes into contact with the support base 51, 52, 53, 54.

Support base driving means 60, e.g., an extending and retracting member61 and at least one drive motor connected to a screw or drive shaft, isconnected to each of the support bases 51, 52, 53, 54 and to each of thetrack followers 41, 42, 43, 44 for driving each of the support bases 51,52, 53, 54 outwardly from the track follower 41, 42, 43, 44 and toward aportion of an aircraft A positioned between the at least a pair ofspaced-apart mounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34 and for driving each of thepair of support bases 51, 52, 53, 54 inwardly from a portion of anaircraft A and toward the track follower 41, 42, 43, 44 in a controlledmanner. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that othertypes of drive assemblies of the support base driving means 60 such ashydraulic or pneumatic drive assemblies and various cam drive assembliescan be used as well according to the present invention. The support basedriving means 60, as well as the positioning of the track followers 41,42, 43, 44 preferably is controlled remotely by a controller connectedto the support base driving means 60 and the track followers 41, 42, 43,44. As understood by those skilled in the art, the controller preferablyincludes a user interface for interfacing with a user or system operatorwhom can direct the various operations of the aircraft maintenanceapparatus 20 as described above and herein below.

Each of the support bases 51, 52, 53, 54 preferably extends and retractsin a first path of travel being defined as generally transverse to amain body of an aircraft A positioned between the pair of mountingtracks 31, 32, 33, 34, and each of the pair of track followers 41, 42,43, 44 move along a second path of travel P2 being defined as generallyparallel to the main body of the aircraft A positioned between the pairof mounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34. The support base driving means 60preferably includes extending and retracting arms 61 and one or moremotors connected to the main body 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d of the trackfollower 41, 42, 43, 44 and to the extending and retracting arms 61 fordriving the extending and retracting members or arms 61 inwardly andoutwardly as illustrated in FIG. 1 along the first path of travel P1.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a pair of aircraft contour followingmeans 70, e.g., contour following assemblies, are each mounted to arespective one of the support bases 51, 52, 53, 54 and are adapted forpositioning adjacent an aircraft A for following the contour of at leastmajor portions of an aircraft A when positioned between the pair ofspaced-apart mounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34 to perform a maintenanceprocedure thereto. The aircraft contour following means 70 is preferablyrotatably mounted to the support bases 51, 52, 53, 54, but as describedfurther herein such a mounting is not necessary according to the presentinvention. Each of the pair of aircraft contour following means 70 hasat least one maintenance tool 100, such as for washing, cleaning,deicing, painting, polishing, sanding, and/or grinding an aircraft,connected thereto.

Although the aircraft maintenance system 15 as illustrated in FIG. 1,includes a plurality of aircraft maintenance apparatuses 20 to increasethe speed at which an aircraft A is cleaned, washed, deiced, or thelike, only one of the aircraft maintenance apparatuses 20 can be used toperform a maintenance operation according to the present invention.Accordingly, as described further herein, the description will bedirected primarily to only one aircraft maintenance apparatus 20.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the aircraft contour following means70 preferably has a vertically-extending track 72 rotatably mounted tothe support base 51, 52, 53, 54 and maintenance tool 100 positioningmeans 80 movably mounted to the vertically-extending track forpositioning the at least one maintenance tool closely adjacent a portionof an aircraft A. The maintenance tool positioning means 80 preferablyincludes first carriage means 90, e.g., a first carriage assembly, forcarrying the at least one maintenance tool 100 thereon and secondcarriage means 95, e.g., a second carriage assembly, movably mounted tothe vertically-extending track 72 for carrying the first carriage means90 along a generally vertical path of travel P3.

The vertically-extending track 72 preferably has a pair of carriageguide members 73, 74, e.g., metal tubes, positioned in a spaced-apartrelation for guiding the second carriage assembly 95 up and down thevertically-extending track 72. Second carriage driving means isconnected to the second carriage assembly 95 for driving the secondcarriage assembly up and down the vertically-extending track 72. Thesecond carriage driving means preferably includes a motor and avertically-extending drive shaft 71 connected to the motor andpositioned between and in a spaced-apart relation to the pair ofcarriage guide members 73, 74. The second carriage means 95 preferablyis slidably mounted to the vertically extending track 72 and moves or isdriven along a path of travel P4 being defined as a generally verticaldirection generally corresponding to the height of an aircraft Apositioned between the pair of mounting tracks 31, 32, 33, 34.

The first carriage means 90, as described further herein, preferablyincludes an aircraft fuselage cleaning tool 100, an aircraft tailcleaning tool, or a combination cleaning tool that can clean both thefuselage and the tail mounted thereto. An aircraft tail cleaning tool,for example, preferably has an assembly for cleaning the vertical finand the horizontal stab. Such a tool configuration for cleaning only thetail of an aircraft can be accomplished by use of spaced-apart cleaningplates mounted to a tool fixture such as illustrated in the drawings. Itwill also be understood by those skilled in the art that a plurality ofmaintenance tools in combination can be connected to the first carriagemeans 90 according to the present invention.

The second carriage assembly 95 preferably has a second yoke followingmember 96 connected to the vertically-extending track 72 and the secondcarriage driving means for following the vertically-extending track 72as the second carriage assembly 95 is driven along the generallyvertical plane (see FIGS. 2-3). The second carriage assembly 95 also hasa horizontally-extending track 97 connected to the second carriage yokefollowing member 96 in a cantilevered position on both sides of the baseof the second carriage following member 96.

The first carriage means 90 is slidably mounted on thehorizontally-extending cantilevered track 97 to thereby allow the firstcarriage means 90 to move in a generally horizontal plane P3. The firstcarriage assembly 90 preferably is mounted to the horizontally-extendingcantilevered track 97 by a first carriage yoke following member 91 forfollowing the cantilevered track 97 (see FIGS. 4-5). Thehorizontally-extending track 97 preferably has a pair of first carriageguide members 98a, 98b, e.g., horizontal tubes, positioned in aspaced-apart relation for guiding the first carriage assembly 90 alongthe horizontally-extending track 97. First carriage driving means 94 isconnected to the first carriage assembly 90 for driving the firstcarriage assembly 90 along the horizontally-extending track 97. Thefirst carriage driving means 94 preferably includes a motor and ahorizontally-extending drive shaft 98c connected to the motor andpositioned between and in a spaced-apart relation to the pair ofcarriage guide members 98a, 98b. In essence, the vertically-extendingtrack 72 and the horizontally-extending track 97 advantageously form aT-type configuration that can provide large-area sweeps for amaintenance tool, e.g., a cleaning, washing, painting, or deicing tool,mounted thereon.

The first carriage assembly 90 also has pivoting means 92 connected tothe first carriage yoke member 91 for pivoting the maintenance tool 100in a generally horizontal plane. An extendable and retractable armmember 93 also is connected to the pivoting means 92 in a cantileveredconfiguration for extending outwardly away from and retracting inwardlytoward the first carriage yoke member 91 and the pivoting means 92. Thepivoting means 92 preferably includes a pivot sliding yoke member 92aconnected to the first carriage yoke following member 91 and a pivotmount assembly 92b connected to the pivot sliding member 92a to therebyallow the arm member 93 to pivot in the horizontal plane. The extendableand retractable arm member 93 preferably has a following rod thatslidably follows an elongate aperture formed in distal end portions ofthe sliding yoke member 92a. The pivoting means 92 preferably allows thearm member 93 to pivot about 180 degrees in a generally horizontal planealong the front side of the cantilevered track 97.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 4-5 and 10, a tool holding fixture 120 ispreferably connected to the extendable arm member 93, and themaintenance tool 100 is connected to the tool holding fixture 120. Thetool holding fixture 120 preferably is a cylindrical piston-like toolholding fixture 120 designed with the capability to provide anadjustable, constant spring force, e.g., pneumatic cushioning, on thetool 100 which thereby maintains the optimum contact pressure againstthe surface of the aircraft A upon which the tool 100 is operating orworking. The tool holding fixture 120 of the first carriage means 90includes tool pivoting means 125 for pivoting the at least onemaintenance tool 100 along an arcuate contour of the outer surface of anaircraft A. The tool pivoting means 125 preferably has a geared ortoothed plate member 126 pivotally mounted to the base of the toolholding fixture. A cylinder 127 is connected to the distal end of theplate member 126. A piston rod or shaft 128 has proximal end portionsslidably mounted within the cylinder 127 and a distal end thereofconnected to a rearward tool base 101 of the maintenance tool 100.

This configuration and structure of the aircraft contour following means70 advantageously allows an aircraft A to be cleaned along its entirelength and width. The combination of the vertically-extending track 72and the horizontally-extending track, e.g., forming a tower-typestructure, advantageously provide a means for reaching the height,length, and width of both the upper and lower exterior surfaces of anaircraft A, e.g., a commercial, private, or military aircraft to therebyperform a maintenance operation, e.g., cleaning, deicing, painting,thereon.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 and 10, the maintenance tool 100 usedby the apparatus according to the present invention preferably formsaircraft cleaning means connected to the tool pivoting means 125 of thefirst carriage assembly 90 for cleaning an aircraft A. The aircraftcleaning means preferably has a tool base 101, a pair of spaced-apartcleaning brushes 106, 107 detachably connected to the tool base 101, anda cleaning fluid delivery head 105 detachably connected to the tool base101 and positioned between the pair of spaced-apart cleaning brushes106, 107. The tool base 101 includes a pair of spaced-apart cleaningbrush yokes 102, 103 respectively adapted to receive the pair ofcleaning brushes 106, 107 and a cleaning fluid delivery yoke 104 adaptedto receive the cleaning fluid delivery head 105. The cleaning fluiddelivery head 105 preferably delivers a cleaning fluid, e.g., water,detergent, antifreeze solution, or combination thereof, by adjustablyselecting a solution, e.g., by a valve system, connected to a hose orfluid delivery system to which the cleaning delivery head 105 connects.

The pair of cleaning brush yokes 102, 103 of the tool base 102preferably includes a tool platen 102a, 103a for receiving the cleaningbrush 106, 107 and a retainer 102b, 103b for detachably retaining thecleaning brush. Each of the pair of spaced-apart cleaning brushes 106,107 advantageously has a generally trapezoidal shape, and a plurality ofbristles 108, 109 are respectively connected to the distal end of thebrushes 106, 107. The proximal end of each of the trapezoidal-shapedcleaning brushes 106, 107 is detachably connected to the cleaning brushyoke 102, 103 and has a lateral extent shorter than the lateral extentof the distal end. The plurality of bristles 108, 109 of distal endportions of the pair of spaced-apart cleaning brushes 106, 107advantageously overlap and contact each other as illustrated.

As best illustrated in FIG. 10, the washing and cleaning maintenancetool 100 of an aircraft maintenance apparatus 20 according to thepresent invention preferably has reciprocating capabilities. Each brush106, 107 of the tool reciprocates back and forth as illustrated by thearrows. As understood by those skilled in the art, the reciprocatingmotion is initiated by a drive assembly, e.g., motors, cam drive, whichseparately drives each of the brushes 106, 107 at a relatively slow rategenerally parallel to each other. The tool 100 thereby advantageouslyprovides a gentle scrubbing action, e.g., no more than 60 strokes perminute, and the use of soft cotton or soft bristle brushes 106, 107 thatmove slowly along the fuselage or other portions of the aircraft A.

These type of brushes 106, 107 of the tool and the reciprocating systemgreatly inhibits any mechanical damage to the aircraft A. Also, unlikehigh pressure water delivery or cleaning systems, this tool 100advantageously reduces concern from aircraft owners and operators thatunwanted water can be forced into various crevices of an aircraft. Thisunwanted water, for example, can then freeze during flight and result inpopping skin rivets or other problems. The softer brushes 106, 107 ofthe tool 100 also advantageously inhibits scratches to windows andwindshields of an aircraft.

In yet another embodiment of an aircraft maintenance apparatus 20' ofthe present invention, as best illustrated in FIGS. 8-9, the rotatablesupport base 51', 52', 53', 54' advantageously can be mounted to amovable vehicle V, such as a dolly-truck or fork-lift type vehicle. Thevehicle V can then be driven by an operator positioned thereon, orremotely, adjacent an aircraft A for following the contour of a portionof the aircraft A, e.g., X, Y, Z, and R movements as illustrated by thearrows, as described above and as illustrated in particular in FIG. 9.The remaining portions of this embodiment of an aircraft maintenanceapparatus 20' according to the present invention are similar to thosefor the other embodiment described above and, accordingly, forconciseness will not be described in further detail herein. Thisembodiment of the apparatus 20' having a support base mounted to avehicle V advantageously allows the vehicle operator to also operate thecontroller for controlling the motion and positioning of the aircraftcontour following means 70'.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, the present invention also includesmethods of maintaining an aircraft A. A method of maintaining anaircraft A preferably includes following a horizontally-extendingmounting track 31, 32, 33, 34 along a generally horizontal path oftravel. A support base 51, 52, 53, 54 is extended outwardly from themounting track 31, 32, 33, 34 and toward a portion of an aircraft A andretracted inwardly from a portion of an aircraft A and toward themounting track 31, 32, 33, 34. The contour of a portion of an aircraft Ais preferably followed with a maintenance tool 100 mounted to thesupport base 51, 52, 53, 54, e.g., preferably rotatably mounted, toperform a maintenance procedure to or upon the aircraft A. The methodcan also include positioning the maintenance tool 100 so as toabuttingly contact a portion of an aircraft A.

The step of following the contour of an aircraft A preferably includescarrying the maintenance tool 100 in a first vertical path of travelcorresponding to the height of an aircraft A, a second horizontal pathof travel corresponding to the lengthwise extent of a portion of anaircraft A, and a third path of travel corresponding to the lateralextent of a portion of an aircraft A. Additionally, during the step ofcarrying the tool 100 along the third path of travel, the tool 100preferably also forms a path of travel corresponding to a tangent at thepoint of contact with the aircraft's outer surface.

The step of following the contour of a portion of an aircraft A can alsoadvantageously include following the contour of portions of a tail of anaircraft A. This step of following the contour of a portion of anaircraft A can further include upwardly and downwardly pivoting themaintenance tool 100 along an arcuate contour of a portion of the outersurface of an aircraft A.

Another method of maintaining an aircraft A according to the presentinvention preferably includes rotating a vertically-extending track 72positioned adjacent a portion of an aircraft A about a support base 51,52, 53, 54. At least one maintenance tool 100 is carried on thevertically-extending track 72 in a first generally vertical path oftravel corresponding to the height of the aircraft A and carried in asecond generally horizontal path of travel corresponding to thelengthwise extent of a portion of the aircraft A to perform amaintenance procedure to the aircraft A.

This method can also include carrying the at least one maintenance tool100 along a third path of travel corresponding to the lateral extent ofa portion of the aircraft A and positioning the at least one maintenancetool 100 so as to abuttingly contact a portion of an aircraft A.Additionally, during the step of carrying the tool 100 along the thirdpath of travel, the tool 100 preferably also forms a path of travelcorresponding to a tangent at the point of abutting contact with theaircraft's outer surface.

Likewise, this step of following the contour of a portion of an aircraftA can additionally include following the contour of portions of a tailof an aircraft A. This step of following the contour of a portion of anaircraft A can further include upwardly and downwardly pivoting themaintenance tool 100 along an arcuate contour of a portion of the outersurface of an aircraft A. Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-9, this methodcan include rotatably mounting the vertically-extending track 72 to avehicle V and positioning the vehicle V adjacent a portion an aircraftA.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed a typicalpreferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms areemployed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerabledetail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. It willbe apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be madewithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described in theforegoing specification and as defined in the appended claims.

That which is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for maintaining an aircraft, theapparatus comprising:a support base; a vertically-extending trackrotatably mounted to said support base; first carriage means forcarrying at least one maintenance tool thereon; and second carriagemeans slidably mounted to said vertically-extending support track andslidably connected to said first carriage means for carrying said firstcarriage means to perform a maintenance procedure on an aircraft.
 2. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second carriage meansmoves along a path of travel being defined as a generally verticaldirection generally corresponding to the height of an aircraft.
 3. Anapparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said at least one maintenancetool of said first carriage means includes either an aircraft fuselagecleaning tool or an aircraft tail cleaning tool mounted thereto.
 4. Anapparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said second carriage meansincludes a carriage track, and wherein said first carriage means furtherincludes a carriage yoke following member connected to said carriagetrack of said second carriage means for following said carriage track,pivoting means connected to said carriage yoke following member forpivoting the at least one maintenance tool in a generally horizontalplane, an arm connected to said pivoting means for extending outwardlyaway from and inwardly toward said carriage yoke following member andsaid pivoting means, and a tool holding fixture connected to saidextendable arm, the at least one maintenance tool being connected tosaid tool holding fixture.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4,wherein said tool holding fixture of said first carriage means includestool pivoting means for pivoting the at least one maintenance tool alongan arcuate contour of the outer surface of an aircraft.
 6. An apparatusas defined in claim 5, wherein the at least one maintenance toolcomprises aircraft cleaning means connected to said tool pivoting meansfor cleaning an aircraft, said aircraft cleaning means having a toolbase, a pair of spaced-apart cleaning brushes detachably connected tosaid tool base, and a cleaning fluid delivery head detachably connectedto said tool base and positioned between said pair of spaced-apartcleaning brushes.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein saidtool base includes a pair of spaced-apart cleaning brush yokesrespectively adapted to receive said pair of cleaning brushes and acleaning fluid delivery yoke adapted to receive s aid cleaning fluiddelivery head.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein each ofsaid pair of cleaning brush yokes includes a tool platen for receivingthe cleaning brush and a retainer for detachably retaining the cleaningbrush, and wherein each of said pair of spaced-apart cleaning brusheshas a generally trapezoidal shape and a plurality of bristles connectedto the distal end thereof, the proximal end of said trapezoidal-shapedcleaning brush being detachably connected to said cleaning brush yokeand having a lateral extent shorter than the lateral extent of thedistal end so that said plurality of bristles of distal end portions ofsaid pair of spaced-apart cleaning brushes overlappingly contact eachother.
 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said support baseis connected to a vehicle.
 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein said second carriage means comprises a yoke follower connectedto said vertically-extending track for following saidvertically-extending track along a generally vertical plane and ahorizontally-extending track connected to said yoke follower and saidfirst carriage means to thereby allow said first carriage means to movein a generally horizontal plane.
 11. A method of maintaining anaircraft, the method comprising:rotating a vertically-extending trackpositioned adjacent a portion of an aircraft about a support base;carrying at least one maintenance tool on the vertically-extending trackin a first generally vertical path of travel corresponding to the heightof the aircraft; and carrying the at least one maintenance tool in asecond generally horizontal path of travel corresponding to thelengthwise extent of a portion of the aircraft to perform a maintenanceprocedure to the aircraft.
 12. A method as defined in claim 11, furthercomprising positioning the at least one maintenance tool so as toabuttingly contact a portion of an aircraft.
 13. A method as defined inclaim 12, further comprising carrying the at least one maintenance toolalong a third path of travel corresponding to the lateral extent of aportion of the aircraft.
 14. A method as defined in claim 13, furthercomprising following the contour of portions of a tail of an aircraft.15. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising upwardly anddownwardly pivoting the at least one maintenance tool along an arcuatecontour of a portion of the outer surface of an aircraft.
 16. A methodas defined in claim 11, further comprising rotatably mounting thevertically-extending track to a vehicle and positioning the vehicleadjacent a portion an aircraft.